PDF Overlay
Overlay one PDF on top of another. Add a letterhead, template, or stamp to every page; white areas become transparent so your document shows through.
Background
Select Background
Step 1: Main PDF
Foreground
Select Foreground
Step 2: Overlay PDF
How to Overlay Two PDF Files
Need to put your company letterhead on a letter, place a design over a form, or stamp the same logo on every page? ToolifyPDF's PDF overlay tool places one PDF on top of another. Choose your main document as the background and the PDF to add as the foreground. White areas of the foreground become transparent, so only its logo, text, or lines appear on your pages. Apply it to every page or match the pages one by one, then download the combined PDF. No software, no account, and no watermark.
Add a Letterhead to Any PDF
Place a one-page letterhead or stationery design on every page of a letter, invoice, or report in a single step.
White Becomes Transparent
The white parts of the foreground PDF are removed automatically, so the text of your main document stays visible underneath.
All Pages or Page by Page
Use one foreground page for the whole document (the first, the last, or any page you choose), or overlay page 1 on page 1, page 2 on page 2, and so on.
How to Overlay a PDF on Another PDF
- Select the Background: Click "Select Background" and choose your main PDF, for example the letter.
- Select the Foreground: Click "Select Foreground" and choose the PDF to place on top, for example the letterhead.
- Choose the Pages: Keep "Apply foreground to all pages" on to use it on every page (if the foreground has several pages, choose which one to repeat), or turn it off to match pages one by one.
- Combine and Download: Click "Combine", then download your overlaid PDF.
Overlay PDF Files on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android
ToolifyPDF works in any modern browser. You can overlay PDF files on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, or Android without installing software. It works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
Why Overlay PDF Files with ToolifyPDF?
Overlaying PDF files usually needs Adobe Acrobat Pro or command-line tools. ToolifyPDF does it in your browser in a few clicks, for free. It's perfect for:
- Adding your company letterhead to letters, quotes, and invoices
- Placing a logo, header, and footer design on reports exported from other apps
- Stamping "Copy", "Draft", or "Approved" designs onto documents
- Laying content over a pre-designed template, border, or certificate background
- Combining a scanned form with a page containing the typed answers
FAQ
What does it mean to overlay a PDF?
Overlaying means placing the content of one PDF on top of another, like printing on paper that already has a design on it. The background PDF is your main document, and the foreground PDF is drawn over each of its pages.
How do I add a letterhead to a PDF?
Save your letterhead as a one-page PDF with a white background. Upload your letter as the background and the letterhead as the foreground, keep "Apply foreground to all pages" turned on, and click "Combine". The letterhead appears on every page of your letter.
Which file should be the background and which the foreground?
Use the document whose text matters most as the background, such as the letter or report. Its text stays exactly as it was and can still be selected and searched. The foreground is layered on top as real PDF content, so its text and lines stay sharp too.
Why can I see through the foreground PDF?
The foreground is layered like ink printed on your page: its white areas let your document show through, and its colored parts appear on top. This also works for a scan or a foreground with a white page background. White text in the foreground becomes see-through too, and a colored or dark background in the foreground will cover the page underneath.
What happens if the two PDF files have a different number of pages?
With "Apply foreground to all pages" on, one foreground page is placed on every page: the first one, or, when the foreground has several pages, the last one or any page you choose. With it off, page 1 goes on page 1, page 2 on page 2, and so on. Background pages without a matching foreground page stay unchanged, and extra foreground pages are ignored.
What if the pages are different sizes?
The foreground is scaled to fit each background page without being stretched, and centered on it. For the cleanest result, use the same page size for both files, for example A4 with A4 or Letter with Letter.
Can I select the text of the foreground after overlaying?
Yes, when it is text in the original file. The foreground is added as real PDF content, not as a picture, so its text stays sharp and can be selected and searched. A scan only contains a picture of the text: run PDF OCR on it first if you need to select it. The text of the background document is never affected.
Can I use password-protected PDF files?
Yes. You'll be asked for the password of each protected file. Note that the result is saved without a password, so use Protect PDF afterwards if needed.
Is PDF overlay the same as merging PDF files?
No. Merging puts the pages of several PDF files one after another. Overlaying stacks two PDF files on the same pages. To add pages from another file instead, use Merge PDF.
Is it free, and are there any limits?
Yes, it's completely free, with no account and no watermark. Each of the two PDF files can be up to 200 MB.
Advanced Features
Our PDF overlay tool also offers these useful features:
- Layered Like Ink: White areas of the foreground let your document show through, while logos and text stay sharp.
- One Page for All: The first, last, or any page of the foreground can be applied to every page of a long document.
- Page-by-Page Matching: Multi-page foregrounds are matched to the background page by page.
- Background Kept Intact: The text, links, and bookmarks of your main document stay as they were.
- Password Support: Protected PDF files can be opened with their password.
💡 Pro Tip
Make your letterhead in Word or any design app on a plain white page, with nothing in the area where your text will go, and export it as PDF. Then use it as the foreground: only the logo and design will appear on top of your document.
Privacy & Security
We take your privacy seriously. All file uploads and processing happen over encrypted HTTPS connections. Your files are automatically deleted from our servers after one hour, and we never store or share your documents with third parties. You maintain complete control over your data at all times.
Ready to overlay your PDF files?
Add your letterhead, template, or stamp now. It's free, fast, and requires no registration.